The Four Seasons' central location, attentive staff, and ultra-luxurious rooms make it one of Denver's top hotels. It offers all the features you'd expect from a property of this caliber: a year-round, heated outdoor pool, large fitness center, and upscale spa. The decor blends the sleek sophistication of a luxury chain with subtle Colorado influences.

The 202-room, sophisticated luxury property has a prime downtown location, upscale rooms that are the largest in Denver, and a popular steakhouse. The large spa is first-rate, as is the privately-owned fitness club, which guests can access for free. Only the Four Seasons and Brown Palace Hotel can compare.

This 110-room luxury boutique, located in a historic building across the street from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, has sophisticated (if smallish) rooms, a locally-inspired restaurant, a grand marble lobby, and theatrical costumes displayed on the walls. But it lacks some amenities you'll find at larger luxury properties, including a spa and pool.

With lower rates than at many other Denver hotels, the Loews Denver Hotel might seem like a deal -- but be prepared to make a few compromises. The hotel is actually near Cherry Creek, a 15-minute drive from downtown, the building is older, and there's no spa. Rooms are pleasant enough, however, with warm colors and flat-screen TVs, and the lobby impresses with its rich, Italian-inspired decor.

The Westin Denver Downtown, conveniently located next to the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall, is quite like a Westin anywhere, with contemporary but generic rooms and a bevy of solid amenities. Chief among those is a heated indoor/outdoor pool with sundeck that offers lovely views of Downtown Denver and the Rockies far off in the distance. The pool is part of the hotel's impressive fitness center, which features state-of-the-art machines, Pilates equipment and DVDs, a half-basketball court, and Runner's World Maps. The Westin also offers a variety of dining options (including a Palm steakhouse on-site), 32,000 square feet of meeting space, and a nightly Unwind Hour where guests receive free local microbrews and spa amenities. The Hyatt Regency Denver is and Grand Hyatt Denver offer comparable hotel experiences, so it's worth comparing rates.

This upscale boutique delivers all the fundamentals of the Kimpton chain: bright, quirky decor, a free nightly wine hour, and an open-arms pet policy. The day spa is recognized as one of the best in Denver, and rooms are stylish, with 37-inch flat-screen TVs. But bathrooms are a bit run-of-the-mill by comparison: small, with shower/tub combos.

This four-pearl business chain in Denver's Central Business District is perfectly pleasant, but lacks wow factor. The decor in the 516 rooms is mostly generic, with a few subtle Colorado influences (such as muted checkered pillow covers and Colorado themed pictures), and views are of the city or the mountains beyond. The hotel's restaurant, 1876, serves quality contemporary American cuisine, and the indoor pool, though on the small side, adjoins an outdoor deck with a Jacuzzi.

The Oxford is one of Denver's most notable historic hotels, ideally located in the lively LoDo neighborhood and in close proximity to area hot spots. Many of the 80 individually decorated rooms include luxe touches like claw-foot bathtubs, pillow-top mattresses, or bath butler service. Modern updates like free Wi-Fi, iPod docks and flat-screen TVs are standard, but some guests have found some of the room styles to be a bit stuffy and outdated. Despite the lack of a pool, the hotel offers ample entertainment with its beautiful two-story spa and The Cruise Room Bar, Denver's oldest bar.

The Warwick Denver’s 219 rooms are large and bright, with flat-screen TVs and balconies. The hotel is located on the southwestern outskirts of downtown, on a grassy, tree-lined street that's still just within walking distance of major attractions. It offers a rooftop pool (a Denver rarity), but unlike the Hotel Monaco and Hyatt Regency, it lacks a spa.

At a staggering 38 stories, the business-oriented Hyatt Regency is almost a city unto itself, with over 1,100 rooms, a large fitness center, a lap pool, and three dining venues. Rooms are upscale, if chain-like, and some offer stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.